Ugly Bones Ryan
120 posts
Oct 04, 2014
5:44 PM
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Which bullet mic is better? Looking to by my first bullet mic and I'd like some input.
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http://www.murraythewheel.com/
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didjcripey
830 posts
Oct 04, 2014
5:52 PM
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Go straight for a shure CM in a classy vintage shell. Astatic T3's are a good size and easy to cup, their 200 series are nice too when chopped. Jt 30's are good too, just whatever takes your fancy.
Its a fun satisfying project to DIY, not rocket science, there's plenty of info out there, or if you're not handy, save up and get one from a good builder like Mr Heumann.
I don't regret all the experimentation that I did, but for what I've spent I could have had several of Greg's top mic's and still worked out cheaper.
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Lucky Lester
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Greg Heumann
2848 posts
Oct 04, 2014
7:36 PM
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The current Green Bullet model 520DX has a mylar-diaphragm'd element, and is the biggest and heaviest shell on the market. That makes it a poor choice. It is hard to cup and causes hand fatigue which makes it ..... hard to cup. It has a built in cable that makes it a pain in the butt to store, and which will fail inside the mic at exactly the wrong time. Avoid it.
The Blues Blaster is a better shell, but long ago Hohner ran out of the Astatic large diaphragm MC-151 crystal elements and substituted a cheap Japanese small diaphragm one, subsequently an even cheaper chinese one. It is OK but nothing special. The Hohner Roadhouse JT30 is on the same lines with an even cheaper out-of-spec screw-on connector that doesn't fit the standard Switchcraft connector so you're stuck using Hohner's cable, which is pure crap.
There are a BUNCH of great mic builders out there who offer better shells and MUCH better elements (vintage crystals and vintage Shure controlled magnetic ("CM") and controlled reluctance ("CR") elements. Spend a little more and get one of these. If the element dies, you'll only need to replace the element - you'll still have a good shell.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Oct 04, 2014 7:38 PM
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jbone
1783 posts
Oct 04, 2014
8:56 PM
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@ Greg-Just curious, have you ever done an element swap like from a Shure 585 to a bullet shell? I find the 585 to have good range and reproduction and wonder how that capsule might do in a bullet configuration?
I had a Bushman/Nady torpedo mic for a time, the element sucked but the shell was cool. It was slotted around the sides of the shell supposedly to give more sound options when cupping. I did not find this to be easy to accomplish and never tried a better element in it, ended up selling it off.
Had an old Blues Blaster given to me in the early 90's and never did care for the element. I had an original 520D at the time, no hotter mic existed that I knew of. I gave the Blaster away. Had a Shaker Dynamic for a time, sound was anemic to me.
My go to mics these days are a hot dynamic in a small shell, Electrovoice m43u model, modded by Greg Heuman, or a Shure 585 ball mic.
Different strokes for different folks. I've been doing mostly duo stuff and we're working with a rhythm section currently to get some stuff recorded and hopefully gig as well. In the duo and with low power amps the 2 mics mentioned above do very well.
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Greg Heumann
2850 posts
Oct 04, 2014
9:43 PM
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@Jbone - often the stick mic elements are very hard to remount in a different setting. There is usually a transformer in the barrel behind the head part so they are a good bit deeper than you think and won't fit in a conventional bullet shell. You have to devise a gasket to hold it as well. If you like a 585 - best to buy and play a 585.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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jpmcbride
72 posts
Oct 04, 2014
10:13 PM
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Ryan,
For an off-the-shelf mic, the stock GB sounds much better than the Bluesblaster. The Bluesblaster tone is thin and shrill.
However, as Greg pointed out, the GB is heavier and larger than the Bluesblaster.
There are other issues with both mics. The Bluesblaster uses a non-standard wired XLR cable that will break. Possibly within the first few days of using it! I can't tell you how many of these cables I've repaired. I like to rewire the connector so its standard and then buy a regular XLR to 1/4" cable, instead of the custom Hohner cable that comes with the Bluesblaster.
The GB has a captured cable which I never liked. But, at least it will last a long time before it breaks. When it does eventually break or get intermittent, its a pain to fix.
Bottom line, if you want a completely off-the-shelf mic and have narrowed your choice to these two, and can handle the size and weight of the GB, its the best choice. I say this because it sounds better and the cable won't break like the Bluesblaster.
If you have a little DIY capability I suggest buying the Bluesblaster, removing the element, and replacing it with a vintage CM (Controlled Magnetic) element which you can buy on eBay or elsewhere. Not sure the going price these days. They used to be $50, but now are probably closer to $100. The easiest thing to do is just rewire the connector to standard XLR, and use a standard XLR to 1/4" cable. This is definitely easier and quicker than installing a screw-on connector like a lot of guys do. Also, you'll need a gasket to install the CM element. You can buy a nice one online, or just cut a disk from plastic or whatever scrap material you have laying around, cut an opening for the element, and glue it in with flexible silicon adhesive. I've done it many times and it works great.
Of course you could always buy an SM57 which sounds great for harp. Either an off-the-shelf one, or a cut-down one with volume control from Greg. Maybe even buy one of his bulletizer adapters to make it easier to hold.
There are other custom harp mics out there. Check out eBay.
I also sell mics at www.bottle-o-blues.com
Jim McBride
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Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
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A440
215 posts
Oct 05, 2014
12:37 AM
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If you want a new, inexpensive "starter" bullet, I can recommend the Superlux D112C over the Bluesblaster and modern Shure 520DX. The Superlux is easy to hold, durable, very resistant to feedback, and sounds reasonably good. (It's actually less expensive than the Bluesblaster and 520DX). I've gigged with one for 4 years and it has held up well despite being dropped multiple times.
When you are ready to trade up, then get into a vintage Astatic or maybe one of Greg's (BlowsMeAway) wooden bullets.
Or you may decide to go for the more natural sound of an SM57 (or Greg's Ultimate version). I mostly use a stock SM57 today, with a 5cm section of bicycle tube on it (Hakan did a YouTube video on this, if you're curious). It works well on stage. The bike tube creates an airtight seal, and also makes it easier to hold. Greg's "Bulletizer" also looks interesting, although I have never seen or used one.
Last Edited by A440 on Oct 05, 2014 3:15 AM
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didjcripey
831 posts
Oct 05, 2014
12:40 AM
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The other thing about paying extra for some vintage quality is that it will appreciate in value. They aren't being made any more, and they're not going to get cheaper or easier to find.
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Lucky Lester
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JustFuya
570 posts
Oct 05, 2014
1:43 AM
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I loved the bullet concept when I first became aware of it in the 90s. 520DX. I used it many times but only once on a gig. It's like holding a brick with volume control.
It's a poor workman that blames his tools but it's a lazy workman who isn't constantly looking to better himself. I am both poor and lazy so I bought a pair of Akai DM-13s for half of what I paid for the Shure mic. There is no looking back, you would think, but I do. I'm tempted to gut & redo the 520DX but the stick form has always worked for me.
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jbone
1784 posts
Oct 05, 2014
6:11 AM
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@Greg- I do like them and have a couple. I was just curious.
The weight of a mic shell can't be that much. Even the heaviest. I used my first bullet- a 520D from the 80's- for several years, and maybe at first i noticed a bit of fatigue, I quickly got used to the solid weight of it.
If I was shopping for my first bullet though, I'd try for the absolute best I could save up for. $250 or $300 can get you something really excellent last time I checked.
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Kingley
3711 posts
Oct 05, 2014
6:16 AM
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These days i don't use bullet mics. I much prefer using either a 545 or an SM57. If I were going to use a bullet mic again though I'd get a JT30 shell with a CM 99A86 element in it or one of Greg's wooden bullet mics with a CM 99A86 element in it. The reason I'd get a CM element is that they are generally more reliable than crystal elements.
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Hakan
453 posts
Oct 05, 2014
7:05 AM
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I have had both mics and I think that they have a sound that is decent. Sometimes the price is too high but on ebay you could find ok prices.
The Green Bullet DX shell is rather big and heavy but this does not make it a poor choice unless you have severe health problems. But the cable that is fixed to the mic is a very poor design. I had problems with the cable and you just can't remove it.
The last Hohner Blues Blaster mic I bought was on ebay and it had a (it must have been) a dynamic element with a lousy transformer. I was surprised because the earlier Blaster I bought had a small japanese crystal element. I changed the transformer to another I bought on ebay and the sound was much better.
I also changed the transformer with my Green bullet 520 DX element and I think I liked that more.
Håkan
Last Edited by Hakan on Oct 05, 2014 7:07 AM
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Barley Nectar
546 posts
Oct 05, 2014
8:14 AM
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Look at your hands. Big hands can use a big mic best IMO. Green Bullet is big, Astatic JT-30 style is smaller, Custom Turner type shell is smaller yet and will except a Shure CM/CR element.
The Turner Shell (many on Ebay or see Greg) is my favorite as I have small hands. This was a real eye opener for me when I switched from a GB. Also, I prefer a 1/4" phone jack for cord connection. JMO...BN
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jpmcbride
73 posts
Oct 05, 2014
9:46 AM
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A440's advice is good. You can use the Superlux stock, then later put a vintage CM element in it if you wanted a better sound.
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Jim McBride
www.bottleoblues.com
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Greg Heumann
2852 posts
Oct 05, 2014
10:06 AM
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@Jbone re "The weight of a mic shell can't be that much. Even the heaviest."
It's one of those things you don't notice until ... you do. Usually when you play through a much lighter mic. I have SO many customers for my wood mics that write me saying, more or less "I had no idea". The heavy shell DOES fatigue your hands - it is also slippery and you have to grip harder - so it is harder to cup. But it also impedes your freedom of movement. I found after playing much lighter bullets I started to move around a lot more and that in turn freed up my playing.
So - YES - you can hold and cup a 520DX. But why would you want to? The other mics in discussion above are smaller and lighter.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Oct 05, 2014 10:07 AM
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Hakan
456 posts
Oct 05, 2014
10:32 AM
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My 520DX wasn't slippery if I remember right. My Shure 520D is not slippery. But I think JT-30/Blues Blaster size works best for me with not big hands.
It's also nice to have mics in 520 size because I think think they look cool. It's also a special feeling to hold a big heavy mic. I had elbow problems so I had to adjust my behaviour. As soon as I don't play I lower the mic and I stretch out my arm. I also try to avoid to grip the mic hard for a long time. It sounds good anyway.
Håkan
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